Imperial Beach Man Arrested for Robbing La Mesa Bank

San Diego FBI Special Agent in Charge Keith Slotter, announces the arrest of Cesar Daniel Flores, age 20, of San Diego, California.

Flores was arrested on Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at approximately 9:40 a.m., in the vicinity of the Palomar Trolley Station, Chula Vista, California. Flores had been detained by Metropolitan Transit Station (MTS) Code Compliance Officers for violation of a code compliance matter. Flores was subsequently taken into custody by FBI Agents pursuant to a federal arrest warrant charging Flores with the robbery of the Bank of the West,

8690 Center Drive, La Mesa, California

, on February 4, 2011.

According to the complaint filed in this matter, in the U.S. District Court, Southern District, of California, Flores is alleged to have robbed the Bank of the West,

8690 Center Drive, La Mesa, California

, using a demand note. According to the complaint, on February 4, 2011, at approximately 11:40 a.m., Flores entered the Bank of the West,

8690 Center Drive, La Mesa, California

, and robbed one of the tellers using a demand note. The demand note stated Flores was armed with a weapon and demanded a certain amount of money. After receiving a sum of money, Flores placed the money into a black backpack and was last seen walking towards the Grossmont trolley station.

A review of bank surveillance photographs and trolley surveillance video assisted in identifying Flores as the bank robber. Additionally, an MTS code compliance officer had issued a citation to Flores at the H Street Station in Chula Vista, California, the same morning as the robbery.

Subsequent investigation by the La Mesa Police Department, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Service, and the FBI led to a federal complaint being filed, charging Flores with the robbery of the Bank of the West,

8690 Center Drive, La Mesa, California

.

Flores is currently being held at the San Diego Central Jail. Flores is expected to appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge, on or about Tuesday, February 22, 2011. This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

This investigation was conducted by the La Mesa Police Department, San Diego Metropolitan Transit Service (MTS), and the FBI.

An arrest itself is not evidence that the defendants committed the crimes charged. The defendants are presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.